What camera do you recommend?

Just going to add my $0.02 to this topic. There are lots of choices out there now in digital SLR's which makes the decision on what to buy that much harder. Of course you really need to look at your needs and budget before you start looking.

If your budget is limited (and whose isn't?) you may consider buying a used camera. By buying something that is 1-2 generations older you can save a lot of money and still get a quality camera. In todays market it only seems to take 6 to 12 months before your new camera has become obsolete. Unless you just want the newest and hottest model out there, you can save a lot of money.

I think it would be better to stick with either Nikon or Canon for a digi SLR. Now don't get me wrong, Olympus, Fuji and Sigma make some excellent camera and sometimes have some features or technology that you will not find in Nikon or Canon. But this is why I suggest sticking with one of those 2 brands. First, you can find lots of used equipment for a good price. Second, if you decide to sell or trade in equipment to upgrade later on, Nikon or Canon are easier to sell or trade in because more people are familiar with them. Third, accessories for those brands are more plentiful, cheaper and easier to find. Again, before anyone decides to flame me for this advice, notice I have not said that they are better cameras, but just have other advantages. And these are things I have learned from my own experience.

As far as wanting to take close up photos of things, with an SLR the lens is what will allow you to take those kind of shots. It will depend on how close you need to get. You can get reasonably close shots with most telephoto lenses. Just check to see what is the minimum focusing distance for that lens. If you need to get really close up, then you may want to consider a true macro lens. What makes them "macro" is that they will focus at much closer distances than regular lenses of the same focal length. A cheaper option is to get "close-up filters." They are not actually filters, but diopters that screw onto your telephoto lens. Nikon makes a set that works very well.

Whether you are using an SLR or point and shoot camera one thing that will make a huge difference in the quality of the images of close up shots is having a tripod. You just cannot hand hold a camera for macro shots without getting some blur.

I hope this helps, and remember this info is my opinion and your mileage may vary. ;D

Randy